Inflatable frame assembly

ABSTRACT

An inflatable frame assembly comprises a plurality of inflatable tubular members elements having a longitudinal dimension. A first portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication end to end in a continuous relationship for defining a closed area. A second portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication at their ends with the first portion of the tubular members. The second portion of the tubular members forms uprights for suspending and supporting the first tubular members. A first inflating valve is disposed on at least one of the tubular members for introducing air for inflating the plurality of tubular members, wherein the plurality of tubular members are self-supporting when inflated and define a closed volume.

BACKGROUND

An inflatable apparatus is described and, more particularly, an apparatus comprising an inflatable frame assembly that is lightweight and, when operatively associated with a cover, provides shelter for one or more persons.

An inflatable shelter may comprise a plurality of pneumatic tubes and a cover for cooperatively supporting the shelter in an upright position. Each of the inflatable tubes is configured so that, with the addition of air, the tube is expanded into a frame member of the shelter. The deflated frame structure can be collapsed and rolled or compacted in any desired manner for transport.

Inflatable shelters are useful as tents for camping tents, which typically rely on rigid frame members or flexible fiberglass poles for support structure. The inflatable shelter substitutes inflatable pneumatic tubes for the rigid frame members and poles by providing a framework on which exterior fabric cover or a tent canopy is mounted.

There is a need for an improved inflatable frame assembly or structure comprising inflatable elements capable of supporting a covering material for providing shelter for one or more persons. The inflatable frame or structure should be quickly constructed by single person. Ideally, the inflatable frame or structure should be light weight and small volume when collapsed so as to be relatively easily transportable.

SUMMARY

An inflatable frame assembly comprises a plurality of inflatable tubular members elements having a longitudinal dimension. A first portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication end to end in a continuous relationship for defining a closed area. A second portion of the plurality of tubular members is connected in fluid communication at their ends with the first portion of the tubular members. The second portion of the tubular members forms uprights for suspending and supporting the first tubular members. A first inflating valve is disposed on at least one of the tubular members for introducing air for inflating the plurality of tubular members, wherein the plurality of tubular members are self-supporting when inflated and define a closed volume.

In one aspect, the tubular members extend substantially linearly when inflated and unconstrained, and the tubular members are collapsible without inflating fluid at a minimum pressure.

In a second aspect, the first portion of the plurality of tubular members is in a plane. The second plurality of tubular members may extend perpendicular to the plane.

In a third aspect, the closed area defined by the first portion of the plurality of tubular members is rectangular.

In another aspect, the inflatable frame assembly further comprises a removable cover. The cover may span between and extend over the closed area defined by the first plurality of tubular members for forming a shelter. Alternatively, the cover has a configuration corresponding to the closed volume for enclosing a top and sides of the closed volume and forming an enclosed shelter. The cover may comprise a flexible sheet material, wherein the flexible sheet material comprises a waterproof nylon fabric. At least one loop fastener may be provided along a periphery of at least one of the tubular members for fastening the cover so as to form a shelter. The cover may be detachably fastened to the at least one loop fastener, wherein the cover can be selectively removed.

In a further aspect, the inflatable frame assembly further comprises a plurality of selectively closable fluid passages in fluid communication between adjacent tubular members of the first plurality of tubular members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the inflatable frame assembly, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inflatable frame assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of an inflatable tubular member for use in the frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of an interior corner of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the interior corner as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of a fluid connector of the interior corner as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pneumatic valve of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the pneumatic valve as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a close-up elevation view of an embodiment of a loop strap sewn onto the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the inflatable frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1 and further comprising a cover supported by the frame assembly.

DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, an inflatable frame assembly is shown in FIGS. 1-5 and generally designated at 20. The frame assembly 20 comprises a plurality of hollow inflatable tubular members connected at their ends. In one embodiment, when the frame assembly 20 is inflated with air under pressure, the tubular members assume the position shown in FIG. 1. The frame assembly 20 provides a support structure for receiving a cover or canopy (not shown) which serves as a means for partially or totally enclosing the frame assembly 20 and providing covered shelter to one or more persons. The covered shelter may be used as a housing, tent, sports enclosure, storage facility and the like.

The inflatable tubular members include a pair of upper side beams 22 which are of substantially equal length. The respective ends of the side beams 22 are interconnected by a pair of end beams 24 which are also of substantially equal length. The length of the end beams 24 is relatively shorter than the side beams 22. The ends of the side beams 22 and the end beams 24 are adjoined at right angles such that each pair of the side beams 22 and the end beams 24 extend parallel to one another in respective spaced relation for defining a rectangular area.

Four inflatable tubular members 26 are connected at their ends at the corners of the adjoined side beams 22 and end beams 24. The tubular members 26 extend downwardly from the corners and function as legs for supporting the interconnected side beams 22 and end beams 24. The leg members 26 are of substantially equal length such that, when inflated, the side beams 22 and end beams 24 are in substantially the same plane. For example, when the leg members 26 extend substantially vertically, the side beams 22 and the end beams 24 extend substantially horizontally.

A transverse tubular member 28 extends between and interconnects the side beams 22 intermediate along their length. The transverse member 28 extends slightly upwardly to a peak 30 at its midpoint when inflated. This configuration of the transverse tubular member 28 resists buckling at the vertex when supporting the cover.

Each of the inflatable tubular members 22, 24, 26, 28 comprises an outer flexible substantially non-resilient sleeve 32 and an inner resilient inflatable bladder 34 inside and extending substantially along the entire length of the sleeve 32. As used herein, the phrase substantially non-resilient means that the corresponding material or fabric expands slightly under tension to an estimated five percent expansion when highly tensioned. A cross-section of an exemplary tubular member is shown in FIG. 6, which depicts the sleeve layer 32 and the bladder layer 34 and shows slight spacing between the layers for ease of understanding of the view. It is understood that, when the inner bladder 34 is inflated, there is no spacing between the layers forming the tubular member, and the sleeve 32 and the bladder 34 are tightly engaged one to the other. In this configuration, the sleeve 32 constrains the expansion of the bladder 34 under high pneumatic pressure sufficient to maintain the desired configuration. This enables the air to be forced into the tubular members under considerable pressure to assure a rigid structure to the frame assembly 20.

The outer sleeve 32 is formed from sheets of flexible fabric such as a coated or waterproof nylon cloth. Each sheet is substantially rectangular having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension. The linear edges of the sheet includes a substantially linear common seam inset from each side edge forming a flat side seam extending completely along each side edge. The thread used to form the edge seams may be mono-cord bonded polyester thread or other suitable thread as would be known to one skilled in the art to withstand the loading of the sleeves. It is understood that the tubular members may be vulcanized, glued or otherwise connected to one another by known means. The result is a sleeve 32 having a uniformly tubular or cylindrical shape, when unbent, of substantially constant diameter. Each tubular member may have a circumference of about six inches, for example, meaning a diameter of approximately two inches. The side beams 22 may be, for example, about eight feet long and the end beams 24 may be, for example, about four feet long.

The inner bladder 34 is formed as a continuous hollow rubber or plastic tube wherein the ends of the bladder are sealed so that the bladder 34 is airtight. One bladder is enclosed within each sleeve.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, an air hose 36 is mounted in fluid communication between the side beams 22 and the end beams 24 in each corner. An air hose 36 also extends between the transverse tubular member 36 and a side beam 22. Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the air hoses 36 are connected at their ends with air inlet discs 38 sealingly connected to the side beams 22 and end beams 24 or transverse member 36, respectively. The inlet discs 38 include an inlet tube 40 configured to receive an end of the air hose 36. The inlet disc 38 is connected through an opening in the sleeve 32 and the bladder 34. The connection includes dual washers 42 glued to the bladder therebetween. The air hoses 36 and air inlet discs 38 function to render the tubular members in fluid communication forming a continuous air passage so that the inflation of one of the tubular members causes simultaneous inflation of all of the remaining tubular members in the frame assembly 20 so that the structure is self-erecting. All of the tubular members can be inflated or deflated from a single valve 50. A pinch clip 44 is provided for closing an air hose 36 so that a bladder 34 of one of the tubular members may be separated from the remainder of the frame assembly 20.

An air valve 50 is disposed in each of the legs 26 for providing an air passage for inflating and deflating the frame assembly 20. It is advantageous to provide means for introducing air under pressure at more than a single point of the frame assembly 20. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the air valve 50 is in fluid communication with the bladder 34 in the respective leg member 26. The valve 50 is configured for connection to any suitable source of compressed air connected thereto. The valve 50 comprises an airtight screw cap 52 for closure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the frame assembly 20 may be enclosed by a suitable cover 60, which functions to form the walls and ceiling of a shelter enclosure. The cover 60 is configured to be reasonably taut over the frame assembly 20 while being supported in position by the longitudinal side beams 22 and transverse end beam 24. The cover 60 may be formed as one-piece from thin plastic sheathing of the poly-ethylene or other synthetic resin families, canvas or other suitable material. The plastic sheathing is preferred because the plastic is thin and lightweight while having good tensile strength and is waterproof to maintain a dry interior. The material can be opaque so the interior will be invisible from the outside, although transparent material can be used where entrance of light is desirable. Alternatively, at least a portion of the cover 60 material may be a ventilating mesh which is used as a window while preventing insects from entering the enclosure. The cover material may have one or more vertical slits in the sheathing, which serves as a door, or be otherwise open-ended or open-sided or may be entirely open with merely a sun-shade covering the enclosure.

The cover 60 can be releasably secured to the tubular members of the frame assembly 20. In one embodiment, shown in the FIG. 12, the cover 60 may be retained on the frame assembly 20 with ties or retainer strips 54 sewed to the walls of the tubular members. Alternatively, the cover 60 may be fastened to the tubular members by means of grommets and turnbuckles or any other means for detachably fastening the cover to the tubular members of the frame assembly 20. In another embodiment, hook-and-loop fasteners (not shown) may be disposed along the side beams 22 and end beams 24 whereby the cover can be selectively removed. It is understood that other means for fastening the cover 60 are possible so as to enable the cover to be applied to the frame assembly 20 when inflated or removed from the frame assembly 20 before deflating. The cover 60 can also be secured to frame assembly 20 permanently as by sewing.

In use, the frame assembly 20 is spread on the ground or other supporting base. A means for supplying air to the tubular members, such as an air pump, is connected to one of the air inlet valves 50. Air is delivered to the tubular members via the valve 50. The tubular members gradually fill and distend and separate from one another to assume their predetermined angular relations. Because the tubular members are all in fluid connection with one another via the air hoses 36, the pump can inflate the entire frame assembly 20 upon introducing air at any one valve 50.

A minimum pressurization goal is about 8 psi, but considerably higher pressures are contemplated. Pressurization of the tubular member should be sufficient to support a cover without any additional rigid support. Accordingly, the pneumatic tubular members allow for pressurization to high air pressures in the order of 45-110 pounds per square inch (psi). Inflation of the frame to its operating pressure of, for example, fifty-five psi will cause the surface of the tubular members to become smooth. When inflated to substantially 8 psi or more, buckling or bending of the tubular members at the vertex of a bend is inhibited. The frame assembly 20 will be sufficiently rigid so as to provide load support for, and tensioning of, the cover or other structure being supported. After the frame assembly 20 is fully inflated, the inflating pump is removed. Although air-inflated tubular members are described, it is to be understood that any gas or other fluid substance serving the purpose of air may be employed to inflate the tubular members.

The inflated frame assembly 20 may be anchored to the ground or other base to minimize the effect of wind lifting or upsetting the frame assembly or moving from a selected position.

In one embodiment, stakes (not shown) may pass through the loops formed by the retainer strips 54 receiving suitable hold-down strips 12 (FIG. 12) and driven into the ground as is well-known manner of a tent.

When the frame assembly 20 is not in use, one of the valve caps 52 is opened to deflate the frame assembly 20. The deflated frame assembly 20 is folded or rolled into a relatively small light mass for storage and shipment.

The inflatable frame assembly 20 has many advantages, including providing a lightweight portable shelter which can be erected in a minimum of time and by the use of an air pump for inflating the frame assembly 20. The frame assembly 20 can be easily deflated for compact storage and transport.

The frame assembly 20 is for use in connection with tents or the like, although it is understood that the frame assembly 20 may be employed in various other structures or shelters and in combination with sport utility vehicles, boats, trailers, and other wheeled vehicles. Moreover, while the frame assembly 20 has been shown and described as generally rectangular, the tubular members may be arranged in a criss-cross pattern or circular formation to provide a round tent or any other arrangement for other possible form of tent or shelter.

Although the inflatable frame assembly has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the frame assembly, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the description as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable frame assembly, comprising: a plurality of inflatable tubular members elements having a longitudinal dimension, a first portion of the plurality of tubular members connected in fluid communication end to end in a continuous relationship for defining a closed area, and a second portion of the plurality of tubular members are connected in fluid communication at their ends with the first portion of the tubular members, the second portion of the tubular members forming uprights for suspending and supporting the first tubular members; and a first inflating valve disposed on at least one of the tubular members for introducing air for inflating the plurality of tubular members, the inflating valve having an airtight valve cap, wherein the plurality of tubular members are self-supporting when inflated and define a closed volume.
 2. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular members extend substantially linearly when inflated and unconstrained.
 3. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular members are collapsible without inflating fluid at a minimum pressure.
 4. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the plurality of tubular members are in a plane.
 5. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the second plurality of tubular members extend perpendicular to the plane.
 6. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the closed area defined by the first portion of the plurality of tubular members is rectangular.
 7. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a removable cover.
 8. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the cover spans between and extends over the closed area defined by the first plurality of tubular members for forming a shelter.
 9. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the cover has a configuration corresponding to the closed volume for enclosing a top and sides of the closed volume and forming an enclosed shelter.
 10. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the cover comprises a flexible sheet material.
 11. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the flexible sheet material comprises a waterproof nylon fabric.
 13. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 7, further comprising at least one loop fastener along a periphery of at least one of the tubular members for fastening the cover so as to form a shelter.
 14. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the cover is detachably fastened to the at least one loop fastener, wherein the cover can be selectively removed.
 15. The inflatable frame assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of selectively closable fluid passages in fluid communication between adjacent tubular members of the first plurality of tubular members. 